Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
29 March 2016
Camille C. Flores
ABSTRACT:
What is a hero? A hero has a concept of the nation and thereafter
aspires and struggles for the nations freedom. A hero thinks of the future,
especially the future generations; however, the choice of a hero involves not
only the recounting of an episode or events in history, but the entire process
that made this particular person a hero better yet, a national hero. Dr. Jose
Rizal did everything that was mentioned earlier, but why was he shortlisted
as a national hero? If ever he didnt write his retraction document, what
happened after that? Will he still be our national hero?
This research is about the authenticity of Jose Rizal being the
Philippines national hero and every work that he did for him to become the
hero as we see him now.
INTRODUCTION
Filipinos have been constantly debating whether Dr. Jose Rizal deserves
to be a national hero ever since he sacrificed his life for the freedom and
welfare of his fellow countrymen.
In one study, Rizal is not considered as a national hero, according to
the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), since there
have been no laws passed concerning the recognition of any national hero
despite Rizals efforts in the revolution (Ty 2012). There have been reports
regarding the recommendation of nine Filipino revolutionaries, including Jose
Rizal, Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo, to be promoted to the status of
national heroes. This recommendation, however, still is not granted until now
for the reason that the NHCP has not taken any action at all (De Guzman
2012).
In other reports there debates taking place whether Rizal or Bonifacio
should be a national Filipino. Ronquillio (2013) said that these debates are
totally unnecessary, divisive, and they pollute and not enrich the
national conversation. To Ronquillio Bonifacio is the greater hero, as
Bonifacio lead the Katipunan with unwavering commitment and awe-inspiring
leadership. He also said that while Bonifacio is the greater hero, Rizal is
acknowledged as Asias Renaissance man; furthermore, Rizal is the epitome
of heroism and embodiment of human excellence.
These previous studies focus on the accomplishments of Rizal;
however, they ignore the controversies that hinder the process of his
recommendation as a national hero. This research paper aims to shed some
light regarding Rizals retraction document and how it has affected the
decisions of our government. The pros and cons of the retraction document
will be discussed in the paper, after that an analysis will be carried out and
finally end up with a conclusion.
OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this research paper are:
a) To find out what makes Rizal our national hero
b) To know what did he really do to be treated as our national hero
c) To know if he will be still a hero if ever he didnt write the retracted
document
Shienaran (2008) Is Jos Rizal worthy to be our national hero? Why or why
not? . Retrieved from https://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?
qid=20080103035625AAfAYVj
On the topic of Rizals authenticity of being a hero, an internet user stated
Someone above stated that Rizal merely wrote a novel exposing the sad
plight of the Filipino and spoke against Spanish oppression, but never
actually fought in pitch battles during the revolution, thereby not being
qualified to be a hero. Well, Ninoy Aquino was a journalist, he wrote articles
and later spoke against dictatorial oppression on radio and television and
d1ed for what he believed in. But he didn't pick up a bolo or a gun and fight
like Bonifacio did, does that make him less of a hero? Heck no, being a hero
means dying for what you believe to be true. It doesn't matter whether you
died in a battlefield, in front of a firing squad at the Luneta Park or at the
airport tarmac. They all had a choice, Rizal could've retracted what he said
and confessed to heresy as the friars wanted him to in order to escape the
firing squad, Ninoy could've chosen to stay in exile in the U.S. and not risk
getting shot at the airport, but they chose to face death instead to show
their countrymen that they were willing to die for their country and people.
To show the enemy that they were not afraid and that the enemy could
never take away their integrity and convictions. That is what makes a hero.
Not some warmonger who revels in taking the life of another human being
under the excuse of fighting for the lives of his countrymen, that type of
mentality is the same type of thinking that believes annihilating other people
of different beliefs or taking over a 5 star hotel in the name of patriotism will
turn one into a hero. So is Rizal worthy to be our national hero? Hell yeah!
He represented the best of what a Filipino could be in a time when the
average Filipino was illiterate and socially insecure, Rizal was a doctor, a
teacher, a writer and a Filipino. Anyone today would be proud to declare
themselves as a Filipino with that for a role model, wouldn't you?(2008).
before his execution; furthermore, the whole incident had been monitored by
several witnesses. Now, Fr. Obachs letters are doubted as reliable sources as
he could have modified his letters to serve his own cause.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ty R. (24 April 2012) Rizal is not our official national hero. Retrieved from
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/256043/lifestyle/artandculture/rizalis-notDe Guzman S. (31 December 2012) Is Jose Rizal a national hero? .Retrieved
from http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2012-12-31/891680/jose-rizal-nationalhero
Did Dr. Jose Rizal deserve to be a national hero? (3 February 2007) Retrieved
from https://odysseyme23.wordpress.com/
Ronquillio M. (7 December 2013) Rizal vs. Bonifacio debates: silly, irrelevant,
nasty.
Retrieved from http://www.manilatimes.net/rizal-vs-bonifacio-debates-sillyirrelevant-nasty/58806/
Shienaran (2008) Is Jos Rizal worthy to be our national hero? Why or why
not? . Retrieved from https://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?
qid=20080103035625AAfAYVj
Manto-Beltran L. (29 Aug 2015) The making of a Philippine national hero.
Retrieved from http://www.manilatimes.net/the-making-of-a-philippinenational-hero/213977/
Paraiso B. (19 September 2012) Did Rizal consider retracting while in
Dapitan? .Retrieved from http://nhcp.gov.ph/did-rizal-consider-retractingwhile-in-dapitan/
Dizon E. (24 October 2011) Rizals Retraction: Truth or Myth. Retrieved
from http://varsitarian.net/features/20111004/rizals_retraction_truth_vs_myth